Wando outpaces James Island; Lady Warriors earn first win

The Wando Warriors rolled back into the win column Friday night with a 58-46 win over the James Island Charter Trojans at home.

After allowing a season-high 76 points Tuesday in Summerville, Wando (8-1) locked James Island down defensively, holding the Trojans to eight or fewer points in each of the first three quarters.

James Island (1-3) didn't find its first points until nearly four minutes into the game. The Trojans were limited to just one field goal in the second quarter while the Warriors stretched open a 24-14 lead by halftime.

“It was great to see that type of effort on defense,” Wando head coach David Eaton said. “That's what we've been preaching the last three days. So I love that we came out, played hard, and that they listened and really wanted to execute on defense.”

Amp Moore hit a three to jumpstart a 9-2 Warriors' run through the first three minutes of the third quarter. Moore scored 14 of his team-high 16 points in the second half.

Andrew Glover knocked down three threes in the fourth quarter to help stretch the Warriors' advantage as wide as 19 with four minutes left to play. James Island chipped away at the gap late with five different players scoring at least three points in the fourth quarter. The Trojans climbed within 12 in the final minutes before the Warriors closed the door on the game and the season series.

“I think we finally decided in the second half, we want to break this game open a little bit,” Eaton said. “We showed a little bit of urgency on offense and kept the pressure on them with our defense.”

Brady Schuck led all scorers with 18 points for James Island. Glover and Jamez Rogers each finished with 13 for Wando.

This season's Warriors continue Wando's recent string of dominance over James Island with the program's fourth straight season sweep. Wando hasn't lost to its former Region VII foe since February 2009.

Wando also regains some of its early momentum as it heads into this year's Roundball Classic Tournament. The Warriors tip off in the first round 4 p.m. Dec. 27 against Porter-Gaud at North Charleston High School.

“It's a breath of fresh air,” Eaton said. “After you lose, you worry until you get that next win so I think it was important for us to get this one tonight.”

Wood leads Wando to season's first win

The Wando Lady Warriors picked up their first win of the season Friday, pushing past James Island 55-50 at home.

Warriors guard Courtney Wood turned in a game-high 27 points, bookending the night with 13 in the first quarter and 10 in the fourth. Wood gave Wando (1-7) its first lead of the night with a three from the corner with four minutes to play. James Island (1-4) came as close as one point with two minutes remaining before Wood knocked down another three to reopen a four-point lead and secure the win.

Sierra Williams and Mackenzie Tillman combined for six threes in the first half to help James Island to an early 31-24 lead. James Island stretched its lead to 12 points by the end of third quarter. Wando answered with a 16-0 run through the first four and a half minutes of the fourth quarter.

Kimberly Smalls scored 10 for Wando. Williams led James Island with 12 points.

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